guard

[ gahrd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over:

   to guard the ruler.

   Synonyms: save, preserve, safeguard, shelter, shield

   Antonyms: attack

2. to keep under close watch in order to prevent escape, misconduct, etc.:

   to guard a prisoner.

3. to keep under control or restraint as a matter of caution or prudence:

   to guard one's temper.

   Synonyms: watch, hold

4. to provide or equip with some safeguard or protective appliance, as to prevent loss, injury, etc.
5. Sports. to position oneself so as to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent on offense):

   The linebacker moved to his right to guard the end going out for a pass.

6. Chess. to protect (a piece or a square) by placing a piece in a supportive or defensive position relative to it.

verb (used without object)

1. to take precautions (usually followed by against ):

   to guard against errors.

2. to give protection; keep watch; be watchful.

noun

1. a person or group of persons that guards, protects, or keeps a protective or restraining watch.

   Synonyms: patrol, sentinel, sentry, guardsman, guardian, watchman, protector, defend

2. a person who keeps watch over prisoners or others under restraint.
3. a body of people, especially soldiers, charged with guarding a place from disturbance, theft, fire, etc.
4. a close watch, as over a prisoner or other person under restraint:

   to be kept under guard.

5. a device, appliance, or attachment that prevents injury, loss, etc.
6. something intended or serving to guard or protect; safeguard:

   insurance as a guard against disasters.

   Synonyms: security, aegis, protection, defense, shield, bulwark, safety

7. a posture of defense or readiness, as in fencing, boxing, or bayonet drill.
8. Football.
   1. either of the linemen stationed between a tackle and the center.
   2. the position played by this lineman.
9. Basketball. either of the players stationed in the backcourt.
10. Chess. a piece that supports or defends another.
11. Cards. a low card that is held with a high card of the same suit and that enables the holder to save the high card for a later trick.
12. British. a railroad conductor.
13. Guards, the name of certain bodies of troops in the British army.

guard

/ ɡɑːd /

verb

1. to watch over or shield (a person or thing) from danger or harm; protect
2. to keep watch over (a prisoner or other potentially dangerous person or thing), as to prevent escape
3. tr to control

   to guard one's tongue

4. intrusually foll byagainst to take precautions
5. to control entrance and exit through (a gate, door, etc)
6. tr to provide (machinery, etc) with a device to protect the operator
7. tr
   1. chess cards to protect or cover (a chess man or card) with another
   2. curling bowls to protect or cover (a stone or bowl) by placing one's own stone or bowl between it and another player
8. archaic.
   tr to accompany as a guard

noun

1. a person or group who keeps a protecting, supervising, or restraining watch or control over people, such as prisoners, things, etc custodial
2. a person or group of people, such as soldiers, who form a ceremonial escort

   guard of honour

3. the official in charge of a train
4. 1. the act or duty of protecting, restraining, or supervising
   2. ( as modifier )

      guard duty

5. another word for garda
6. a device, part, or attachment on an object, such as a weapon or machine tool, designed to protect the user against injury, as on the hilt of a sword or the trigger of a firearm
7. anything that provides or is intended to provide protection

   a guard against infection

8. 1. another name for safety chain
   2. a long neck chain often holding a chatelaine
9. See guard ring
10. sport an article of light tough material worn to protect any of various parts of the body
11. basketball
    1. the position of the two players in a team who play furthest from the basket
    2. a player in this position
12. the posture of defence or readiness in fencing, boxing, cricket, etc
13. take guard
    cricket (of a batsman) to choose a position in front of the wicket to receive the bowling, esp by requesting the umpire to indicate his position relative to the stumps
14. give guard
    cricket (of an umpire) to indicate such a position to a batsman
15. off one's guard
    having one's defences down; unprepared
16. on one's guard
    prepared to face danger, difficulties, etc
17. stand guard
    (of a military sentry, etc) to keep watch
18. mount guard
    1. (of a sentry) to begin to keep watch
    2. with over to take up a protective or defensive stance (over something)

Derived Forms

• ˈguardˌlike, adjective
• ˈguarder, noun
• ˈguardable, adjective
• ˈguardless, adjective

Other Words From

• guard·a·ble adjective
• guard·er noun
• guard·less adjective
• guard·like adjective
• pre·guard verb (used with object)
• self-guard noun
• un·der·guard noun
• un·guard·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guard¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English garde “guardianship,” from Old French g(u)arde, noun derivative of g(u)arder (verb), from Germanic; cognate with Old English weard ( ward )

Word History and Origins

Origin of guard¹

C15: from Old French garde, from garder to protect, of Germanic origin; compare Spanish guardar; see ward

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off guard, unprepared; unwary: Also off one's guard.

   The blow from behind caught him off guard.

2. on guard, vigilant; wary: Also on one's guard.

   on guard against dishonest merchants.

3. stand guard over, to watch over; protect:

   The dog stood guard over his wounded master.

More idioms and phrases containing guard

see off guard ; stand guard .

Synonym Study

See defend.

Example Sentences

The guard is one of just two players who have played at least 20 of the team’s 22 outings as Washington dealt with the coronavirus outbreak and a mélange of other injuries already this season.

From Washington Post

So it’s important for fans not to let down their guard as the Super Bowl approaches.

From Popular-Science

Masks and distancing are key to gathering safely, she said, noting that people often let their guard down while celebrating.

From Washington Post

“This client ended up getting her $600, the second stimulus payment, a couple of days later, which kind of caught us off guard,” Gollihare said.

From Washington Post

This feature has been hit or miss for some advertisers, even catching some off guard.

From Search Engine Land

A guard is manning the door, which is always kept ajar so she can be monitored.

From The Daily Beast

Three years ago, Republican Guard soldiers came into the hills and killed a cleric accused of hosting Jundullah fighters.

From The Daily Beast

One of the honor guard approached with slow, measured steps and presented the flag to a uniformed captain.

From The Daily Beast

The government continues to call for calm while warning people to be on their guard.

From The Daily Beast

News of an opening with Havana has enraged the old guard of Miami that has longed to see the Castro family brought down.

From The Daily Beast

In particular the Governor of Adinskoy offered us a guard of fifty men to the next station, if we apprehended any danger.

From Project Gutenberg

On the evening of September 17th he sent away his advance guard of two thousand men in eighty small boats.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaving Bruno to guard, Harry climbed the tree, and to his satisfaction had a good view of the country.

From Project Gutenberg

Every precaution was taken by Colonel Guitar to guard against a night attack, but his little army was allowed to rest in peace.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless Monsieur de Biancourt was always on his guard, and often sent the boat on ahead with the sounding-lead.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cover
• defend
• escort
• keep
• look after
• observe
• oversee
• patrol
• preserve
• safeguard
• secure
• shield
• supervise